“There are many ways to keep yourself awake while meditating. You have to see which suits you most.”
One way to help with sleepiness while meditating is to eat moderately. Each individual’s sense of moderation varies. Some people don’t eat after midday. Some only eat one meal a day. And some may fast for three days without eating solid foods and only consume juices or other supplements, such as milk. These may cure sleepiness.
However, in the Buddhist Canon (Tipiṭaka), the Buddha said to get up and do walking meditation if you’re getting sleepy while sitting in meditation. If walking meditation alone doesn’t work, you should try walking in scary places. Some respectable teachers did their walking meditation (caṅkama) where there were tigers. That way, you will stay alert. Sitting in meditation in scary places will also keep you alert. Some people do their sitting meditation in cemeteries to keep them awake.
There are many ways to keep yourself awake while meditating. You have to see which suits you most. If it doesn’t, you may end up losing your way. For instance, if you get scared easily and choose to sit in meditation in a cemetery, you may end up losing your mind.
By Ajaan Suchart Abhijāto
Youtube: Dhamma in English
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